Rogel Cancer Center announces new cancer health equity scholars, plus other 2022 awards
Media contact: Nicole Fawcett 734-764-2220 | Patients may contact Cancer AnswerLine™800-865-1125
The awards to researchers, clinical investigators and students stem from the generous gift committed by Rich and Susan Rogel

ANN ARBOR, Michigan – The University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center will provide funding support to 12 exceptional faculty researchers, 2 early career clinical researchers and six medical and graduate students. In addition, the center has launched a new program for Rogel Scholars in Cancer Health Equity, to support two faculty members who are working to address the cancer burden in historically underserved or excluded populations.
The awards are funded through the transformational $150 million commitment in 2018 by Richard and Susan Rogel. Four years later, the cancer center has established several programs that support multiple aspects of its mission:
- Rogel Scholars awards provide support for exceptional faculty dedicated to achieving impact on cancer prevention, patient outcomes and quality of life.
- Rogel Scholars in Cancer Health Equity awards recognize the center’s long-standing commitment to reducing the burden of cancer, particularly among historically underserved populations. This program will support the generation and dissemination of high-impact research to improve outcomes in these populations.
- Rogel Clinical Research Early Investigators awards provide career development support to junior faculty members who have demonstrated outstanding clinical research and a promising future in oncology.
- Rogel Scholarships support fourth-year medical students and M.D./Ph.D. or Ph.D. students with potential for major impact in a career in the cancer research field.
“We are thrilled to be carrying out Rich and Susan Rogels’ intention of funding our people and programs to improve treatment and care for cancer patients, develop promising scientists, and leverage the university’s broad and deep strengths in science, innovation and patient care,” said Eric Fearon, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Rogel Cancer Center. “This year’s outstanding recipients represent the gamut from senior investigators to promising early career faculty to the next generation. We look forward to the advances they will make.”
2022 Rogel Scholars:
- Tomasz Cierpicki, Ph.D., associate professor of pathology and biophysics
- Donnele Daley, M.D., assistant professor of surgery
- Lesly Dossett, M.D., associate professor of surgery
- Nisha D'Silva, B.D.S., M.S.D., Ph.D., Donald A. Kerr Endowed Collegiate Professor of Oral Pathology, professor of dentistry and pathology
- Amanda Garner, Ph.D., associate professor of medicinal chemistry
- Celina Kleer, M.D., Harold A. Oberman Collegiate Professor of Pathology
- Goutham Narla, M.D., Ph.D., professor of human genetics and chief of the Division of Genetic Medicine
- Celeste Leigh Pearce, Ph.D., M.P.H., professor of epidemiology
- Kenneth Resnicow, Ph.D., Irwin Rosenstock Professor of Health Behavior and Health Education, professor of pediatrics
- Vaibhav Sahai, MBBS, M.S., associate professor of hematology/oncology
- Simpa Salami, MBBS, M.P.H., assistant professor of urology
- Ryan Wilcox, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of hematology/oncology
2022 Rogel Scholars in Cancer Health Equity:
- Katrina Ellis, Ph.D., M.P.H., M.S.W., assistant professor of social work
- Elena Stoffel, M.D., M.P.H., associate professor of gastroenterology
2022 Clinical Research Early Investigators:
- Matthew Pianko, M.D., clinical assistant professor of hematology/oncology
- Andrea Franson, M.D., clinical assistant professor of pediatric hematology/oncology
2022 Medical Student Scholarships:
- Holly Roberts
- Cameron Harter
- Abed Rahman Kawakibi
2022 Graduate Student Scholarships:
Learn more about the Rogels’ gift and the programs it supports.